Former politician Gerry Byrne highlights east-west divide in NL with DFO's expanded food fishery

    Friday, 22 May 2026 12:00

    By Tonya Organ

    Last week, DFO announced this year’s food fishery will now run 7 days a week but here on the west coast, it will stay the same at only three days.

    A Corner Brook politician, now retired after 35 year, says there is a clear injustice being done by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans towards the West Coast. Last week, DFO announced this year’s food fishery will now run 7 days a week but here on the west coast, it will stay the same at only three days. For zones 3PS and 4R3Pn, the west and south coasts DFO “reflected that these stocks remain in the critical zone.” Byrne says that was also true for the east and northeast coasts, which have since increased, therefore Ottawa changed the rules. He says Quebecers have a more significant access to a fishery on the west coast of NL despite the fact it’s the same zone. 

    Byrne says some of the advocates for an increased food fishery, particularly in the St. John’s and Avalon area have been saying for years that everybody should be treated fairly and the same. He says they also agreed with DFO’s decision and said it was “understandable” due to the state of cod stocks on the west coast, essentially agreeing that Ottawa had the right strategy all along. Byrne says it just goes to show there is an east-west divide in our own province 

    This year’s Food Fishery season will run from Memorial Day/Canada Day to Labour Day each year. The fall period will be September 19 to September 27. The daily bag limit will stay at five fish per person but the 15-fish per boat has been eliminated.

     

    To report an error, submit a news tip, or provide feedback, please e-mail news@bayfm.ca or call (709) 637-0183.

    More from Local News

     

     

     

    BayFM recognizes support from the following agencies:

                        

    Today's Weather

    • Corner Brook

      Heavy rain shower

      High: 7°C | Low: 3°C

    • Deer Lake

      Heavy rain shower

      High: 8°C | Low: 4°C

    • Stephenville

      Sunny intervals

      High: 7°C | Low: 4°C

    Recently Played

    Podcasts